Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 10, 2012 12:17 am Just wondering whether anyone had any experiences about doing minor structural changes after signing contract with Porter Davis? We are about 3-4 weeks after signing contract and want to add bathroom niches, but our CSC keeps saying we cannot do any structural changes after contract. I cannot understand why since its such a minor change? Appreciate some input!! Re: structural changes after contract with Porter Davis 2Apr 10, 2012 12:32 am it probably depends on how far along they are. Whilst a shower niche may seem like a small change depending on your actual house it may no be as simple as it seems (depending on the walls etc). Although sometimes builders just like to be as inflexible as they can and charge an arm and a leg for anything. Perhaps read your contract carefully. Re: structural changes after contract with Porter Davis 3Apr 10, 2012 1:35 am It may seems to be a small change, but then it is already 3-4weeks after contract. If they are quick on things, they might have the plans ready.So adding things like bathroom niches would not be something as easy as it seems. Re: structural changes after contract with Porter Davis 4Apr 10, 2012 10:02 am Thanks for the reply, I will try and persist and see whether we could get the niches added. I also have another question for anyone building with Porter Davis specially knockdown rebuild, does the sewer need to be capped at the demolition? Our water provider has told us as long as we are happy to pay the service charge that it probably does not need to be capped. Capping cost a lot more $. Re: structural changes after contract with Porter Davis 5Apr 13, 2012 12:38 pm iita2007 Just wondering whether anyone had any experiences about doing minor structural changes after signing contract with Porter Davis? We are about 3-4 weeks after signing contract and want to add bathroom niches, but our CSC keeps saying we cannot do any structural changes after contract. I cannot understand why since its such a minor change? Appreciate some input!! Hi iita2007, Firstly, welcome to the forum – it’s a great place to have any questions answered and to get open and honesty feedback and advice from other people who are also building. Regarding the question about niches, this also depends on what home ranger you are building from as well. If your CSC hasn’t explained the reasons why then you should ask to speak with them again, I’m sure they’ve be happy to go over this with you. Let me know how you go. Cheers, Ebony Porter Davis Homes Questions? Call 1800PORTER Mon - Fri 9am-8pm Sat - Sun 10am-4pm info@porterdavis.com.au http://blog.porterdavis.com.au/ http://www.porterdavishomes.com.au Re: structural changes after contract with Porter Davis 7Apr 13, 2012 9:28 pm iita2007 Thanks for the reply, I will try and persist and see whether we could get the niches added. I also have another question for anyone building with Porter Davis specially knockdown rebuild, does the sewer need to be capped at the demolition? Our water provider has told us as long as we are happy to pay the service charge that it probably does not need to be capped. Capping cost a lot more $. Hi, I work for a sewer authority and when a house is demolished it is meant to be cut & sealed however if it is being rebuilt you can leave and reconnect into the same point, you will just be paying you usual sewer charges. And in our area it is a few hundred dollars just for the fees, then you have plumbers fees etc., then the reconnection fees so way cheaper to leave it if allowed. Re: structural changes after contract with Porter Davis 8Sep 17, 2012 1:03 am Hi iita2007, Just wondering how you went with your PD Marbella ? We have just placed a deposit for the Marbella 42 as well and would love too hear your experience. Any handy hints would be greatly appreciated. Stuart Re: structural changes after contract with Porter Davis 9Sep 17, 2012 9:36 am We are at lock up stage and it has been good up to now except I found the subcontractors trying to fit the wrong stair case. It was a mistake by PD and should be soon sorted. Apparently we are the first to build this house in the south eastern sub so they have had a lot of things to sort through but it has been not too bad up to now, if it goes at this phase we should get the house before completion date BUT who knows?. Where are you building? My main recommendation building with PD is you need to look at what you want and have a pretty good idea what you want and have all that included as early as possible. After contract its pretty much impossible to do any or even minor structural changes. I went and spent a lot of time at the display house in Clyde just to get a feel for it. I also went to almost all PD display villages and houses and look at ideas, colours, kitchens, bathrooms floors and made a display book for my self for what I liked. When you go to choose your tile, and colour selections this helps. You could tell them the house and which village its from and they give you all colours and brands used in that house. We are building the same as the display with two master bedrooms, same stair case, galley and the same facade as the display. Few things I would have liked and did not include but now regret is Bathroom niches, wider garage so there is storage space and a door from the theatre room to the living area at the back so the whole area could be opened for a party. As they say I found its better to include more and take out than add later. Also make sure that your sales consultant gives you accurate costing. We found that a lot of things cost a lot more when we went to tender. Also because you wouldn't have done your electrical they do not include the electrical amount at tender. Just remember this will be an additional cost at contract. Very carefully check all initial sales tender and contract documents they do a few mistakes. For electrical we only got the lower level done completely and got battens and wiring done for top level. Electrical is a significant cost. We knocked down our old house and rebuilt. Happy to give any advice and help just ask. My overall experience to now with PD has been good not many complains. Re: structural changes after contract with Porter Davis 10Dec 29, 2012 10:27 pm Hi ita2007, how is your build going with the Marbella ? We are about to start building in the New Year (18th January) and our house sounds very similar to yours, we have hasically taken most of the features from the display home at Clyde North including the facade. We are building in Glen Waverley, where are you building. Cheers, Stuart Re: structural changes after contract with Porter Davis 11Jan 02, 2013 8:44 am Hi We built in Glen Waverley, we had handover in December 2012. currently enjoying the house. Very happy with the build except for some minor issues. Whereabouts in Glen Waverley are you? who is your site supervisor? Re: structural changes after contract with Porter Davis 12Jan 26, 2013 1:51 pm stuartPDMarbella42 Hi ita2007, how is your build going with the Marbella ? We are about to start building in the New Year (18th January) and our house sounds very similar to yours, we have hasically taken most of the features from the display home at Clyde North including the facade. We are building in Glen Waverley, where are you building. Cheers, Stuart Hi Stuart How is it going? Have PD started building yet? We are building the Marbella 42 in Ashburton with a commencement date sometime in April. Wow that is terrible about the insurance! I guess ideally proof of insurance should be provided prior to first deposit but I'd imagine they would refuse to be out of… 17 14236 There isn't any need to. As I wrote previously, there isn't a set term, there is just commencement based on earlier of contract signing or building permit issue and… 24 13391 Three options 1 Ask the liquidator 2 Find another PD customer and ask the source of their report 3 Pay for new report 3 6495 |